Armenian foods growing increasingly competitive abroad

YEREVAN, May 26. /ARKA/. Armenian foods is growing increasingly competitive abroad, but food safety is still a problem at the domestic market, Mileta Aristakesyan, deputy chair of the Armenian National Association of Consumers, said Monday at a news conference.

«Standards and norms were worked out and appropriate laws were adopted in Armenia in recent years, and this ensures competitiveness to Armenia-made foods at world markets,» she said.

Aristakesyan singled out wine, fresh vegetables and fruits as well as dry fruits as competitive foods.

At the same time, she said that there are certain food safety problems inside the country. These problems are created by unfair commodity producers and improper storage.

Levon Achemyan, chief of the laboratory of the Food Safety Center, on his side, pointed out high percentage of nitrates and pesticides in fruits and vegetables, which is very often not measured when products are put on sale.

Experts propose all large stores and supermarkets to acquire appropriate devices to see harmful elements in foods.

According to the Armenian National Statistical Service, the country’s agriculture output amounted to about AMD 68.5 billion in current prices in Jan-March 2014 showing 5.2% year-on-year growth. ($1 – 413.31). --0---